For the first time, the public will have a month to challenge their assessments in person.

In the past, the period was limited by state law to two weeks, Aug. 1-15. The result often was long waits and unhappy home and business owners. The problem worsened when Williams became New Orleans' first citywide assessor in 2011 and began revaluing tens of thousands of properties each year.

The Legislature this year passed a bill to expand the review period in order to reduce the lines.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African-Americans, targeting them disproportionately for tr...